Trade-In Appraisal Tips
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Trade-In Appraisal
How To Get The Most Trade-in Value For Your Old Cars
How to Improve your Vehicle's Trade-in Value?
Real estate agents will tell you to do certain things to make your home more saleable, such as applying a fresh coat of paint in worn areas, emptying closets and cleaning out the clutter to create the perception of spaciousness. These simple things can improve the overall perceived value of your home, making your asking price more acceptable.
The same holds true for your car as you're getting ready to trade it in. When you include your used vehicle or truck as part of the negotiated price for a new vehicle, the dealer will be challenged with another sale before he realizes the full value of the transaction. The more saleable your vehicle appears to the dealer, the more you can expect to get for your trade-in. Needed and obvious repairs will immediately become deductions from what a dealer will be able to offer you as a wholesale price for the vehicle. Here are a few simple things you can do to improve your vehicle's trade-in value.
1. First Impressions are Lasting ones
How your vehicle looks at a glance sets the first impression. A thorough wash and wax job can help restore the lustre to your vehicle, making it look years younger than it is. Clean often overlooked spots such as door-frames, trunk edges and wheel wells. These are places that hide dirt and most likely will be noticed by a dealer.
2. Vaccum from Top to Bottom
A clean vehicle is a sign of a well-cared-for-vehicle. You can't spend enough time vacuuming and cleaning the interior. Cotton swabs are ideal for getting dust out of tight spots and air vents. Use lint-free towels or cloth diapers and clean water to wipe down the dash and console area. A stiff-bristled brush will help to get dirt out of the carpet. For stubborn stains, use a small amount of carpet cleaner, but don't over-saturate the carpet. Make sure the carpet is completely dry before closing up the vehicle.
3. Polish your Wheels
The wheels are often forgotten but what a difference they can make to the appearance of your vehicle. Dealers will take note of the condition of your wheels, so make sure they're clean and in good shape. Front wheels usually will look dirtier, because of an accumulation of brake dust from the disc brakes. Several car cleaning products help remove brake dust, but choose the right product for your type of wheel or wheel cover because there are different products for alloy wheels and plastic wheel covers.
4. Inspect your Tires & Tread
The wheels are often forgotten but what a difference they can make to the appearance of your vehicle. Dealers will take note of the condition of your wheels, so make sure they're clean and in good shape. Front wheels usually will look dirtier, because of an accumulation of brake dust from the disc brakes. Several car cleaning products help remove brake dust, but choose the right product for your type of wheel or wheel cover because there are different products for alloy wheels and plastic wheel covers.
5. It's All in the Details
You may want to have your vehicle professionally detailed. The $100 to $300 expense can add significantly more to the trade-in price a dealer may offer. You also should inquire whether the detailing shop can steam clean the engine compartment. To find a reputable detailing shop, call the service department at your dealership to see whom they use for their detailing work.
6. Parts & Emissions Standards
It's relatively easy to replace a broken headlight or a cracked lens on a taillight or turn signal. These types of obvious damage can detract significantly from the value of the vehicle and because they're inexpensive to remedy, it's best to have them fixed in advance. Also be sure you can produce a current and valid emissions standards document stating that your vehicle complies with local environmental regulations.
7. Have Minor Body Damage Repaired
Depending on the extent of the body damage, you may want to have minor dents and dings repaired by a paintless dent repair professional. They also can airbrush small scratches and chips to eliminate the minor imperfections in your car's exterior. For more extensive body damage, you may want to get a written repair estimate and use this as part of your negotiations.
8. Repair or Replace Cracked Windshield
If your windshield has a chip or crack, it may be repairable you should get it fixed or have the windshield replaced. This is something a dealer will have to fix due to the liability of selling the vehicle to another customer. If you're not sure whether the crack is significant enough to warrant a complete replacement, have a windshield repair shop evaluate whether the crack can be economically repaired.
9. Organize your Service Records
If your windshield has a chip or crack, it may be repairable you should get it fixed or have the windshield replaced. This is something a dealer will have to fix due to the liability of selling the vehicle to another customer. If you're not sure whether the crack is significant enough to warrant a complete replacement, have a windshield repair shop evaluate whether the crack can be economically repaired.